God’s plan with us is radically simple: to become like Christ. And so this is also our calling and aim: to become increasingly conformed to his image (Romans 8:29). To exist and work like him (1 John 2:6; 4:17). He was primarily making disciples who, when trained, will become as Him (Luke 6:40).* Our goal in discipleship is therefore the same: by the power of God, we must “make” people who will be like Jesus. And of course before that and in doing that we ourselves must be growing into it. In doing this, we may have different tools that represent different steps towards this goal, but we must never lose sight of the goal. Seen from this perspective, the whole New Testament becomes extremely clear, simply focused on the one goal.
Oznaka: Bible mysticism
Fundamental Question: How to Interpret the Bible?
When it comes to how we read the Bible, how we approach the texts, and how we deal with the passages we dislike, we basically have two options:
- We select certain passages and make them the basis and criterion for interpreting the whole (thus creating the famous “canon within the canon”). We arrange all other texts around them; we bend to this “canon” any passages that (apparently or actually) speak differently, perhaps with the help of allegory, eisegesis, and other interpretive techniques. In this way, we can obtain a clearly defined, transparent, and well-organized system of belief, where everything is understandable and determined.
- We allow all passages to speak with undiminished power. We do not bend one under the other, even though this may leave paradoxes, contradictions, and oxymorons that we cannot fully explain, organize, clarify, untangle, or resolve. In this way we do not get a clear and conspicuous theological system, but a series of powerful words that challenge and encourage us, undermine and provoke us, and lovingly attack us from different directions. It is an explosive mixture that actively works within us to make us active in the kingdom of God.
Matjaž Črnivec 